BHP Billiton now in charge of South Australia’s uranium politics?
Roxby negotiations now hostage to ALP factional coup timeline, 01/08/11 The State Government has now handed over complete control of negotiations over the Olympic Dam expansion to BHP Billiton, say the Greens.“BHP Billiton can now dig their heels in and not give an inch on any aspect of the project knowing that the Premier and the Minister Foley are desperate for a deal before they are forced out,” said Greens Parliamentary leader Mark Parnell.
“The company isn’t in a hurry, but the Premier sure is. “What will happen now to previous commitments from the Government, such as processing in South Australia rather than China, and ensuring ‘world’s best practice in terms of the environment’ for the expansion?
“Will they be sacrificed in order to meet an artificial timeline set by the ALP back-room?” he asked.
Uranium mining to remain illegal in New South Wales
“Uranium mining and exploration is prohibited under the Uranium and Nuclear Facilities (Prohibitions) Act 1986.”
‘No plans’ to lift NSW uranium ban ABC Sydney – Australian Broadcasting Corporation August 01, 2011 The New South Wales Government is adamant it has no plans to overturn a state ban on uranium mining and exploration. Continue reading
Landscape Guardians – anything to stop action on Climate Change
I had the interesting experience of sitting through a recent Landscape Guardians meeting, with a panel of their “experts” including Randall Bell, in the small community of Barunah Park, west of Geelong.
“Any weapon” is what they use, and FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) tactics are their specialty…..the Guardians are part of the murky network of climate deniers, fossil fuel lobbyists, and hard-right Liberal party types. Their president has acknowledged they are waging a political battle against environmentalists.
Anti-wind power lobby: Farming fear, uncertainty and doubt, Green Left Weekly, July 30, 2011 , By Ben Courtice, The ABC’s Four Corners on July 25 showcased the national debate around wind farms’ alleged negative health effects.
It patiently allowed the anti-wind power Waubra Foundation to walk the audience through their case that wind farms are a health hazard. Many people I have met are curious to know if there is any truth to the allegations. Continue reading
BHP Billiton’s Premier Rann determined to promote uranium mining
Premier Rann to step down after nine years, Michelle Grattan and Ben Doherty, The Age, August 1, 2011 VETERAN South Australian leader Mike Rann has agreed to step down in favour of his more popular Education Minister as the party tries to fight its way back from bad opinion polls.
But he wants to complete ”several key projects” – most importantly the go-ahead for the expansion of the Olympic Dam uranium mine – and has not given a date for quitting.
………Mr Rann said he had decided that ”a seamless transition to a new leader was the most appropriate course”.But before he stepped down ”I intend to conclude negotiations with BHP Billiton over the indenture agreement that will allow the expansion of the Olympic Dam mine project to proceed.” The project was vitally important to future generations of South Australians. ”It is now at a critical and sensitive stage and it is important that the new leader is brought into this complex process.”
Premier Rann to step down after nine years
Too much success for household solar power in Western Australia
WA solar rebate scheme too popular to continue, SMH, Courtney Trenwith, August 1, 2011, The WA government has axed one of the most successful household environmental programs – the solar panel rebate scheme – precisely because it was too popular.
No new applications will be accepted from today. More than 65,000 household solar panels have been installed since the scheme started in 2009…WA solar rebate scheme too popular to continue
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 